New Job= New Country

I worked for two days this week at my new job, working with the secretary who is retiring, and I'm a bit overwhelmed. At first it felt like I was trying to do my job in a new language. (ESPs are called EAs. Not cum file but folder. District Office is now Central Office. Etc.)
But then I decided it was more like trying to do my job in a new country. Not only is the language different but the whole atmosphere has changed - new faces, a new place to try to find my way around in, and new rules. (Where is room 12R anyways?) I'm glad that I have been a school secretary before - because at least I knew what questions to ask. Now I just have to figure out how to remember what I learned until I go back to work full time on July 30!

He's coming home!

Craig left on June 10 to deliver a load in Vancouver, and he hasn't been home since. He's driven in 23 states and 1 Canadien province. He's driven through snow, rain, lightning, heat and wind. He's had broken lights, speedometer, and an almost flat tire. He's hauled lard, milk, fertilizer and grease. But now he's coming home!
He should be home before bedtime tonight. I have a couple of surprises for him. I finished painting our bathroom and bought some new accessories. I found garden lights and hung them from the pergola on our deck. With our economic stimulus check I bought a patio table and chairs and they were delivered today. He knows about the bathroom and the patio set but he doesn't know what they look like. I am so excited to have him home again.
Starting tonight we will be on vacation - until after the Fourth of July - and I can't wait to spend time together. We're going to stay here for a few days, and then head to the cabin. Since Craig was gone on June 24th (our 30th wedding anniversary) we will be celebrating for the next week!

Spiritual Battle

Last night my husband,Craig, called me from Salt Lake City and he was desperate. Since he left here 8 days ago to deliver a load out in Vancouver he has had a terrible time. In North Dakota he had to have a new starter put in the truck. In Montana he drove in snow for a whole day. Then when he got to Canada they said his truck was too long and they weren't going to let him in to deliver the load. They gave him a warning and a $30 fine. He had to pay another $10 to get back in the US. Then his dispatcher told him to get to Burley, Idaho as quick as possible because there was a load there and they'd load him anytime all weekend. So he drove straight through only to be told there was no load. So he sat in Burley for 3 days in the heat with no air conditioning. On Tuesday they sent him 100 miles for a different load, only there was no load there either. Finally, they sent him to Salt Lake for a load of milk going to TX. So he drove down there, got the trailer washed out again, drove 70 miloes out into the hills to try to find the farm where the load was. When he got there the guy wanted to load his own truck before Craig's. Craig finally got loaded, drove back to the scale in Salt Lake only to find out that he was way ovewr weight. The man there told him he'd have to drive back out to the farm to unload and reload. That is when Craig called me. He just couldn't do it anymore. He wondered why these things happen to him - and he even began to wonder where God was. He couldn't talk long - someone came to talk to him about his load. So I got Carrie and we began to pray. Then we called the rest of the family and they prayed too. I just felt that Craig was under attack. Satan was trying to convince Craig that God didn't love him, and that he should just give up. We prayed the power of Jesus over Craig. Soon he called back with some good news. The company had decided that he didn't need to go back to the farm - they had a trailer he could unload his load into. I prayed with Craig, again praying against the demons, and praying for the peace of Christ that passes understanding to guard Craig's heart and mind.
Today Craig is on his way to Texas. He is feeling much better. Praise the Lord!!!!!

Goodbye, Weaver Lake!

Friday was my last day as secretary at Weaver Lake. It was a very hard day. I have worked there for 13 years, but this spring the school board decided to repurpose our school and so a new staff will be coming in the fall. So Friday I finished my tasks, cleaned out my desk, and turned in my keys. I said goodbye to all the people I've worked with for so many years and also goodbye to the whole district where my kids went to school and where I felt privileged to work.
It's time to start a new chapter of life. I do have a new job in the fall but it will be in a different school in a different school district. I am so thankful to God for my new job, and I know that He will be with me as I learn a new building and a new school district and begin to make new friends. I am still so sad at the losses, but I am beginning to look forward. I keep remembering a chorus from Girl Scouts:
Make new friends, but keep the old:
One is silver and the other gold.

Reflections on Father's Day

Today my kids all came home. We had a great lunch on the deck, took the grandkids to the park, and played ladder golf. It was a beautiful day for being outside. There was just one thing missing- my husband. Today on Father's Day he was sitting in Idaho waiting for a load to bring back. So all of the kids called and talked to him, and now I sit here alone thinking about what a great dad he is. He has always worked hard to support our family. He has a great work ethic, working hard at his job and at home. He gave much of his time when the kids were growing up coaching their athletic teams - both baseball and hockey. He always tried to be fair to all the kids on his teams, and he studied drills and lineups to mke sure that he was giving his vey best to his teams. He also gaved the kids lots of love - and showed them how to love by loving me. As the kids got older he's helped them with their vehicles, helped them move, and cheered them on. Finally, he also shared his faith in God with them. I'm so sorry you couldn't be here, Craig. Happy Father's Day - we love you!
On Father's Day I also have to talk about my dad. My dad has been a great dad. He has always been there for me. He taught me faith - just by watching his life. His faith in God shines through everything he does. He also taught me patience, and how to find something good in each situation. He's had lots of struggles - especially health issues, but he never got bitter or depressed. He has accepted his physical limitations with grace. He also personifies the word faithful in how he stayed with my mom through all her illnesses and continued to take care of her and love her. He rarely complains. He is always glad to hear my voice when I call, and never gets mad when I don't call or visit. Even though he's 80 and I'm 50, he stills asks if I need any money. He always tells me how proud he is of me and that he loves me. Thanks, Dad, for all your love! and support

A cure for sleeplessness?

My son had surgery two weeks ago to repair a torn ACL in his left knee. Since then he has had trouble sleeping. Part of it is due to pain and not being able to find a comfortable position. His knee seems to throb more at night, or at least he can't ignore the pain at night like he can during the day. The doctor gave him vicadin for the pain, but that just doesn't seem to help at night. So then he tried not taking that, and just using ibuprofen. Then he tried taking Tylenol PM.
Does anyone have any suggestions to help him sleep?

Goodbyes

Last week was the last week of school for students and teachers. It was a week of hugs and tears as we said goodbye. I have to work this week and then I am done - maybe done in my district for good. So it is another week of goodbyes - goodbye to the building where I have worked for 13 years. Goodbye to friends and a job I loved coming to every day. This morning at work I watched the custodians move pallets of teachers' materials to receiving. the truck was on its way to start emptying our building. I am glad that I won't be here to watch them move stuff in for the people who will work here next year.
Yesterday I also said goodbye to my husband - he's taking a load with his semi out to Vancouver, BC. Then he's taking a load from there to Texas. He'll be gone two weeks. Another goodbye.
I am so sad - but in the midst of my sadness I am so thankful that my Heavenly Father never leaves me. I never have to say goodbye to Him. He has met all my needs - and so my sadness eases as I put my eyes not on the losses but on Him and on my blessings- my family, my home, my health, a new job for fall, etc.

A Great Evening for Sports

Last night was a great night to watch sports on TV. First we watched the MN Twins beat the Yankees, with Joe Maurer hitting his first homerun of the season. Then we watched the Stanley Cup hockey game between Detroit and Pittsburgh. We only stayed up to watch the first overtime period. What a game! Detroit is unbelievable - they just keep coming, they don't let Pittsburgh through the neutral zone let alone into their end, and they keep shooting the puck. However, I wanted Pittsburgh to win. I guess I'm cheering on the underdog?
Anyways, as soon as I woke up this morning I had to turn on ESPN to find out who won. It made my day to see that Pittsburgh won in triple overtime! I'm so glad that there will be at least one more game to watch. So even though my boys aren't playing hockey anymore, I guess I still have a love for hockey!

I've got a job!

I have been interviewing for two elementary school secretary jobs in another school district for the last two weeks. At the first school I knew the principal. However, I found out that the office assistant was also interviewing for the job, so I knew that I didn't really have a chance. At the second school, however, I was asked to come back for a second interview and had to go to the district office to take the secretary's test. The test lasted about 75 minutes. First I had to take a 3 minute typing test. Then there was a written test - timed (40 min.) and it contained a page of general questions, a page of name comparisons (is Foley & Co. the same as Foley & Co?), a page of spelling words - correct the words that are misspelled, and a page of math questions: addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, decimals and percentages. After the written test I had to create a half sheet flyer using the computer. This morning I had my second interview. I have felt good about this school since the first time I walked into the building. The interview went well and I went to work to await a phone call. You can imagine what it was like to hear the phone ring at work and wonder each time if it was "the call."
I didn't have to wait long. The principal called and offered me the job. After putting a call into the HR department to find out about a salary package, I called the principal back to accept the job! I am a little scared about moving to a new school in a new school district- but I'm also excited to have a new start in a new place. Thank you, God, for providing this job. Now I can relax and enjoy my summer without having to look for a job or worry about finances.